JLP-commissioned poll shows Dunn 15 points ahead of PNP's Alexis

The Jamaica Labour Party has released the finding of an internal poll showing its St Mary South East candidate Dr Norman Dunn some 15 percentage points ahead of the People's National Party's Dr Shane Alexis.

In a statement this afternoon, the JLP said the poll was conducted on Monday and Tuesday of this week by Caribbean Development Strategies with a sample size of 1,700 voters from the constituency.

The margin of error is plus or minus five percentage points.

Dunn, a second-time political candidate, will face off with Alexis, a political neophyte, in the October 30 by-election.

The election became necessary following the death of PNP MP Dr Winston Green in August.

The JLP said the poll found that a majority of voters prefer their candidate to be of Jamaican citizenship.

Two weeks ago, it was revealed that Alexis is Canadian, although this would not bar him from being elected since he is a Commonwealth citizen.

The JLP said the poll also found that Prime Minister Andrew Holness maintains a 15 percentage point lead over Dr Peter Phillips in terms of the trust and confidence of constituents.

JLP General Secretary Dr Horace Chang says the numbers were expected based on the work that the party has done since it formed the Government more than a year ago.

“We have done a lot of work and the people of South East St Mary recognise this. Our leader has been exemplary and this is reflected in the acceptance by the people of his modern leadership,” Chang stated.